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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Sorry for the delay in posting, been busy with work, and well, this. Threw it (and another, no time for pics 'til finished) together over the weekend. I forgot how much fun it is to dig through the bit box and just wing a conversion.

I had an idea about some kind of a pump wagon contraption and ended up with this. The second one is very similar, but looks like a unique construction (no factories for Papa Nurgle) along the same path. My intent is that these tie in with the drones and furies I did already. Note the bug eyes I did on the drone head I used on the Grand Maggot (as good a name as any :) ), I did the same to my drones and furies and they look way better.

Now I have 10 days to paint all of them. At least they all have the same color pallete. Wish me luck.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Here is some progress on my updated Nurgle Furies. Used Apoxy Sculpt to flesh out the bodies.

The holes in the side are for legs (from Goblin Spider Rider spiders). I like how the texture on the skin turned out. In hindsight I should have modeled in some gashes, etc. but I think they are fine without them also. Still want to do something with space where the third eye was (I have no idea why GW made it 3X the size of the other 2...), perhaps a little horn or a carapace bit. I am also considering adding a vestigial/unformed 2nd wing to further the emage that these are related (or young versions of) to the Plague Drones.

I will use a similar technique on the last 2 large models I have to do to finish the Nurgle upgrade. More on that later...

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Starting work on the Crisis Suits for the Commission Tau Army. This is the fun bit...

Decided to do the Commander first. In an Iridium Suit, his sargear includes Twin linked Fusion Blasters, Multi Tracker, and Fragmentation Launcher. I am a huge fan of WYSIWYG and this army is for a newer player. I believe it is important that if the model has a multi tracker is on the figure. For a new player, it is very helpful to be able to look at the model and know what is has instead of having to refer to your army list. With no real plan but WYSIWYG in mind, this were I went. The bands (which won't look so huge when everything is the same color) and spare larger shoulders from the Broadside Kit represent the armor upgrade to Iridium armor. which would be apparent when next a normal Crisis Suit. I love double wepaons (back from Battletech days and the Warhammer Mech...), so that worked well and obvious. I thought about combining the two weapons, but it was too awkward. I made a new head from parts left over from the Broadside Kit. The multitracker is a stock bit. I used spare missile bits on the shoulders to represent the Frag Launchers (I will repeat those on the other couple suits that will have them.). I also reposed the left leg to make the suit stepping forward. Lot of clean-up and never ending mold lines (these older kits are absolutely terrible, its like the mold lines grow back, I swear they do). Next-up, the 2 Bodyguard suits...

Broadside Suit in progress. I really did not like the whole giant infantryman holding a rifle vibe the stock kit had, so...made a short barreled version of the railgun by mashing the pod arms and railgun barrels and, of course, made a matched set to carry on the theme.

Made a new, larger head vs. the 3 various pea sized heads that come with the kit (you'll see those on some Crisis Suits as they are the same size). Not sure if it will end up with right arm on the side or up in the John Woo shooter pose (second picture). Kit is much bulkier, many parts are left off to accommodate painting.

Will have twin plasma guns on the left shoulder, and the head, multitracker and plasma guns are all in line with left gun, as if they all swivel with the head as it aims. I reposed the left arm to make the straight arm. Clean-up left to do. I like to mash up the model when I am on a roll, and then go back and finalize prep for painting.

a bit about the author

I have been painting, collecting and playing with wargaming miniatures for over 26 years and damn lucky to be married to a woman that:
1) Doesn't think its weird
2) Knows a bad color choice when she sees it.
I am especially fond of converting and modifying miniatures and often take on commission work.
Over the years, I have won a Silver Demon (large monster), a WH40K GT, numerous best painted, players choice, and best army awards as well as being featured in White Dwarf several times. Additionally my WAB Greek City States Army was featured in Wargames Illustrated. I go to events as time will allow and trade painting and converting ideas with my good friend Shawn Welte.